FAQs

Got Questions? We’ve got answers. Whether you’re buying your first car or trading in your old car, we’re here to make it simple. Explore our FAQs for quick, honest answers about Carsa’s process, prep, finance, handover, and more.

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What is the Alloy Wheel Protection plan?

It's a 36-month plan that repairs minor cosmetic damage to your alloy wheels — kerb scuffs, chips and scratches on the wheel face from everyday driving. A mobile technician comes to your home or work; you book through the Shine! Protect app and it's usable from day one with no waiting period. It's a one-off price of £499 with up to 15 repairs across the term. Note it covers alloy wheels only — there's no tyre cover — and it's a maintenance plan, not insurance.

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What does the Cosmetic Maintenance Plan cover?

It covers minor everyday damage to your painted body panels: stone chips up to 5mm, and dents, scuffs and scratches up to 30cm wide and 3mm deep where the panel isn't cracked, torn or perforated. On the bonnet, boot and roof only stone chips are covered, not dents or scratches. It doesn't cover glass, lights, wheels, interior, trim, or matt/wrapped/bespoke finishes, and the vehicle must be under 7 years old at the plan start. Repairs are professional cosmetic blends that weatherproof the damage — they're not full factory resprays.

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How do I book a repair on my Cosmetic Maintenance Plan?

Submit a request through the Shine! Protect app (iOS or Android), online at apsmartclaim.co.uk, or by calling 01279 456 500. Upload a few photos of the damage and pick the type. Once AutoProtect authorises it, you pay the £25 call-out fee and choose a date and location — home, work or anywhere convenient — and a mobile technician comes to you. Always wait for authorisation before any work goes ahead.

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What is the Cosmetic Maintenance Plan?

It's a 36-month plan that sends an award-winning Shine! mobile technician to your home or work to repair minor cosmetic damage to your car's painted body panels — chips, dents, scuffs and scratches from everyday driving. You book through the Shine! Protect app, with up to 4 repairs per visit and up to 21 across the plan (7 per year). It's a one-off price of £449 with a £25 call-out fee per request. It's a maintenance plan, not an insurance product, and isn't regulated by the FCA.

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How do I look after my car once Ceramic Coat is applied?

Just wash it with mild car shampoo (not washing-up liquid) and water — no polishing needed, and an automatic wash-and-dry is fine. The coating repels dirt so the car stays cleaner for longer. Two things to keep in mind: remove bird droppings promptly as they're corrosive, and note the coating covers exterior paintwork, alloys, bumpers and side glass but not the front and rear windscreens.

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Do I need to reapply Williams Ceramic Coat or have it topped up?

No — it's a one-off application, applied by Carsa at handover, that lasts the lifetime of your ownership. Unlike some paint protection products it doesn't need a yearly top-up or 'enhancer' to keep the gloss or the guarantee. The only thing to remember is a re-validation inspection at Carsa after 5 years to keep the lifetime guarantee in place.

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What is Williams F1 Ceramic Coat paint protection?

It's a high-gloss ceramic coating that bonds to your paintwork and protects it against UV, acid rain, traffic grime, tree sap and harsh weathering — so your car keeps its showroom shine and is easier to clean. It's developed by Ultimotive, an Official Licensee of Williams Racing, and tested by SGS and CSIRO for hardness and gloss. It's a one-off application of £499, applied by Carsa at handover, with a lifetime guarantee for as long as you own the car.

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Are EV charging cables covered?

The onboard charger inside your car is covered. External charging cables and units — home wallboxes and public chargers — are not, and damage from using non-manufacturer-approved charging equipment isn't covered either.

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How do I tax my car when I collect it?

You'll need to tax the car before you can legally drive it away. Don't worry – we make this easy. We record the 12-digit document reference number from the V5C in our system, and when you collect your car, our team will help you tax it on-site using the DVLA website. It only takes a couple of minutes. You won't usually receive the green new keeper slip (V5C/2) at handover, but you don't need it – we have the reference number ready for you.

What’s the difference between PCP & HP finance?

PCP usually offers lower monthly payments and greater flexibility if you like to change cars every few years. However, you’ll need to pay a balloon payment if you want to own the car outright. HP has higher monthly payments, but once the final payment is made, the car is automatically yours.

What is Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance?

PCP is a more flexible type of finance where part of the cost is deferred into a final “balloon payment” (known as the Guaranteed Future Value). At the end of the agreement, you can choose to:

  • Pay the balloon payment to own the car.
  • Hand the car back, as long as it’s in good condition and within mileage limits.
  • Trade it in for another car, using any value left over as your deposit.

To see how this looks in practice, find a car on our website and use the finance calculator — you can adjust the deposit, term, and mileage to see how payments change.

If you want to see if you might be eligible for PCP, you can check your eligibility with our finance eligibility checker.

What is Hire Purchase (HP) finance?

HP is a simple and straightforward type of finance. You pay a deposit, then fixed monthly instalments over an agreed term. Once all payments (and any small option-to-purchase fee) have been made, the car is yours. HP is a good option if you know you want to own the car outright at the end of the agreement.

If you want to see if you might be eligible for HP, you can check your eligibility with our finance eligibility checker.

Can I get two cars on finance?

Yes, some customers are able to take finance on more than one vehicle, as long as their credit profile and affordability are strong enough. Lenders may ask for extra documents or a clear reason for needing a second car.

Can I get finance with no UK credit history?

Yes, some specialist lenders will consider customers with no UK credit history, although they may ask for additional documents. These can include proof of your right to remain in the UK, two proofs of address, and an international driving licence. 

If you’re unsure, check your eligibility with our finance tool — it’s a simple way to see whether you’re likely to be eligible for car finance

Can I get finance if I have negative equity or an existing car on finance?

It can be possible. Some lenders will work with customers who have existing finance or a small amount of negative equity (where the car is worth less than the outstanding balance). For example, if you part-exchange your car, the existing finance can sometimes be settled as part of the new deal.

To understand how much negative equity you have, you can get a part exchange quote on our website by following this link or by calling us up and speaking to an agent.

Can I get car finance without a balloon payment?

Yes. If you’d prefer not to have a balloon (final) payment, a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement might be more suitable. With HP, you make fixed monthly payments until the balance is cleared, and once the final payment is made (plus any small option-to-purchase fee), the car is yours outright.

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